Glenview Luxury Imports displays exotic cars in annual show

Under Sunday’s pristinely sunny skies, the Glenview Luxury Imports held its 3rd annual charity Exotic Car Show in downtown Glenview on Railroad Avenue between Dewes Street and Glenview Road, offering a showcase of 58 of the rarest of automobiles in the world, in an event honoring our first responders.

Glenview Luxury Imports, Exotic Car Show administrator, Rich Margaritondo said this isn’t your Granddaddy’s muscle car show –- it’s a free, family-centered event, with a festival atmosphere, live music, and balloon artist, first responder meet-and-greet, raffle, and kid-friendly auto judging process.

“At the end of the day the event is a thank you to our first responders,” Margaritondo said.

Cars on display this year included Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lotus, Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Corvette, classic muscle, rare Australian muscle, and Japanese Supercars, along with crowd-pleasers like a car driven by James Bond, the Batmobile, and Kit, the car from the 1982, Knight Rider television series.

Christine Eavey of Algonquin says she is something of a car expert, and this show brings out some of the rarest makes and models and gives people a chance to sit in cars they don’t often get a chance to see.

According to Margaritondo, the exotic luxury car event was originally created as a car show for charity, following the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to bring people out for a celebration and fundraiser to honor first responders and in support of local businesses.

From the beginning, 100% of show proceeds have gone to the 100 Club of Illinois, as they will this year, in support of aid to families of first responders killed in the line of duty, and active duty responders in Illinois.

Margaritondo says this year they hope to raise $10,000 for the 100 Club of Illinois.

This year’s show offered food and drink from Glenview Grind, Forza Meats, and Riobamba, live music performed by Brass From The Past, $34,000 in raffle prizes including all-inclusive resort vacations to Antiqua and Panama, a 55” Samsung TV from Abt, and much more.

“Kids get to climb on firetrucks, meet first responders, fill out a ballot for their favorite show car, for a chance to win a bike from Glenview Cycle,” Margaritondo said.

Emily Roh of Glenview attended with family.

“This is something we can do together as a family on a such a beautiful spring day – my son loves cars and it’s fun for the kids to meet our first responders,” Roh said.

According to the GLI The Glenview Luxury Imports Charity Exotic Car Show website, hosting the 3rd charity Exotic Car Show to benefit The 100 Club of Illinois helps us to honor the sacrifices that our first responders make for us.

The 100 Club of Illinois provides resources, several forms of financial support, access to training, and moral support to both the families of first responders killed in the line of duty and active duty first responders throughout the state of Illinois. All sworn federal, state, county and local first responders stationed in Illinois are included.

Chase Olson, a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Glenview Fire Department participated in Sunday’s event.

“The 100 Club helps take care of us, they offer an assist and help alleviate financial concerns for families of first responders who die in the line of duty,” Olson said.

Nate Hewitt of Glenview attended with friends and family.

“It’s great to bring the community together to see these awesome cars for such a worthy cause,” Hewitt said.

Exotic car owner, Hank Ebeling of Lake Villa says he has participated in the Glenview car show for the past two years.

It’s a huge attraction that our $50.00 car owner donation goes to the 100 Club of Illinois in support of police, fire, and EMS responders,” Ebeling said.

“First responders are there when you need them, but when you don’t need them they are easy to forget, so this is really important,” Ebeling added.

Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.